IATA: Freight markets stabilising and capacity control helping load factors and yields

IATA CEO and director general Tony Tyler said (16-Apr-2012) the bottom line impact of increasing fuel prices is being ameliorated by several positive factors, including Europe averting another financial crisis, the stabilisation of freight markets and the slowing of capacity growth, with subsequent increases in load factors and yields. IATA's consensus forecast for Brent crude expects an average price of USD115 per barrel in 2012, up from USD111 in 2011, adding USD36 billion to global airline operating costs. Mr Tyler warned the entire industry remains extremely vulnerable to any new shocks that could push it back into losses, despite a global airline profit forecast of USD3 billion for the year. [more - original PR]